Great strides were made this past week, as 81 per cent of the crop is now seeded, according to Saskatchewan Agriculture’s weekly Crop Report. Warm and dry weather has allowed producers to remain well ahead of the five year (2011-2015) seeding average of 59 per cent.
Many producers have completed seeding operations and are now starting in-crop herbicide applications.
Seeding is most advanced in the southwest, where producers have 90 per cent of the crop seeded. Eighty-seven per cent of the crop is seeded in the southeast; 84 per cent in the northwest; 83 per cent in the west-central region; 75 per cent in the northeast; and 68 per cent in the east-central region.
Rainfall in the province ranged from trace amounts to several inches in the west-central region. Some areas will need rain in the coming weeks to help crops emerge and establish. Topsoil moisture conditions on cropland are rated as three per cent surplus, 83 per cent adequate, 13 per cent short and one per cent very short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as one per cent surplus, 72 per cent adequate, 20 per cent short and seven per cent very short.
The majority of emerged crops are either at or ahead of their normal developmental stages for this time of year. Overall, crops are in good condition, although there has been some damage caused by flea beetles, cutworms, strong winds, localized flooding and lack of moisture.
Pasture conditions are rated as seven per cent excellent, 57 per cent good, 26 per cent fair, nine per cent poor and one per cent very poor.
Producers are busy completing seeding operations and controlling pests.
Follow the 2016 Crop Report on Twitter at @SKAgriculture.
